Jon Flanagan has avoided instant dismissal from Liverpool FC because the club believes it has a responsibility to help his rehabilitation after he pleaded guilty to assaulting his girlfriend.

The 25-year-old defender was given a 12 month community order at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday after admitting the attack on his partner of 18 months, Rachael Wall, after a drunken row.

CCTV pictures showed Flanagan, of Knowsley Road, Aigburth, pushing Ms Wall into a wall twice before aiming a kick at her body when she slumped to the floor.

While Wall did not suffer any injuries and declined to give a statement to police, the incident was captured by CCTV and witnesses which led to the prosecution. The pair are said to be working hard at their relationship and attempting to move forward together.

District Judge Wendy Lloyd ordered Flanagan to complete 40 hours’ unpaid work and attend 15 rehabilitation activity days with the Probation Service.

An internal disciplinary process took place on Thursday following the culmination of the court case, the ECHO understands.

Flanagan joined Liverpool as a youngster at the Academy and it is felt that helping him to rehabilitate is the correct course of action.

The player’s own instant admission of guilt and subsequent contrition and remorse were all factors in the club’s decision.

Flanagan himself pre-emptively took the option not to go on the Liverpool players’ break to Dubai last week as he felt it would be inappropriate to be seen enjoying himself abroad prior to hearing his punishment for such a serious incident in court.

Anger in the club remains but Flanagan has been given credit for his acceptance of the serious nature of the offence.

The reaction of his disappointed family - and that of his agent Bradley Orr - to the situation has also been in Flanagan’s favour.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is said to have accepted that Flanagan’s actions were a totally isolated incident and utterly out of character.

While the player has been nowhere near the Liverpool first team - with just one League Cup appearance this season - one of the central issues going forward will be how exactly he found himself in a lengthy drinking session in Liverpool city centre last December 22.